The theory of getting quality players on the cheap when they're uncontracted doesn't hold water. Hogan is unlikely to be any cheaper this year than next. Unless we finish in the bottom 2 or 3 in 2017 Melbourne will force him into the PSD (assuming, of course, that Melbourne don't finish top 4 in 2017 and Hogan changes his mind about coming home). It's no different to O'Meara this year. The Hawks know they've got to give something of quality, whether picks or players or both, to get the deal across the line even though he's out of contract.
Bond et al have been howled at in these pages for not doing enough to get their man and now they're being encouraged to sit back, have a cigar and wait for the gift horse to arrive all packaged up in September 2017.
